Page 87 - Making things move_ DIY mechanisms for inventors, hobbyists, and artists

68 Making Things Move

modeling industries. Other glues, epoxies, and solvents that cite specific plastics as
their target materials work great as well.

CAUTION Weld-On is pretty nasty stuff. Open the windows, use a fan,
and wear a respirator mask if there is not good airflow where you work.
Avoid direct inhalation. Use gloves to avoid skin irritation. Wear splash-proof
safety goggles. The fumes can irritate your eyes even if you don’t spill.

Threadlockers
When screws are used in metal and are exposed to vibrations, shock, or varying loads,
it is common to use a threadlocker, which is a type of glue used to fix the screw into
the tapped hole or nut. A threadlocker also seals the bolted joint from fluid leakage
and helps prevent corrosion.
The Loctite brand name has become synonymous with this application. It comes in
dozens of varieties, so read the description to make sure you choose the best one for
your application.

Super Glue
Most kinds of super glue come in small or one-use tubes and dry within seconds.
The gel-based ones are the easiest to use because they are thicker and don’t drip
or run easily.

In general, these glues are weaker than epoxies and should be used only as a last
resort or for a temporary fix. Avoid using them in applications in which they are under
force or pressure. Super glues are better suited to fixing your sunglasses than for
holding moving mechanisms together.

You can find super glue just about anywhere, from your local drugstore to McMaster.

Hot Glue
A hot glue gun and some glue sticks definitely deserve a place in your toolbox. Hot
glue can be used for just about anything, from gluing cardboard to insulating exposed
metal on electrical components. It’s also inexpensive and easy to find at any
arts-and-crafts store.

CAUTION Be careful when the glue gun is plugged in so you don’t burn
yourself or the table on which you’re working.